A listless Indian women's team failed to click in all departments of the game as they were handed a five-wicket thumping defeat by Australia in their second warm up game ahead of the ICC World Cup here today.

India could score just 222 for eight after opting to bat and the Australians chased down the target of 223 runs in 37.3 overs, despite losing a wicket in the first over.

The Indian batters were led by Harmanpreet Kaur in the absence of Mithali Raj and they started well. But soon after they began struggling and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They lost half their side for the score of 116.

Raj had viral fever in the morning, which prompted her to take rest, but the team manager later said that she was fine.

The opening pair of Poonam Raut and Thirushkamini Murugesan added 47 runs for the first wicket before the latter was caught behind off Aussie pacer Megan Schutt.

Raut then forged a 54-run stand with Mona Meshram for the second wicket. But the Indian side lost Raut (31) and Meshram (25) in a span of two overs, which brought down the run rate.

The Indian number eight, Niranjana Nagrajan accelerated the innings and scored a quickfire 26-ball unbeaten 35 to take her side to a respectable total.

From the Australian side, Sthalekar was the chief tormentor and picked up three wickets for 29 runs in her six overs. Schutt snapped up two wickets, while Sarah Coyte, Renee Chappell and Holly Ferling picked up a wicket each.

The Australians lost their opener Mag Lanning but soon recovered from the blow and won the match comfortably with 11.3 overs overs to spare.

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